Main photo and Photoshop processing by Sara Pelle and Francesco Croce for their IED thesis project entitled Nella Capitale delle Meraviglie
“When I was young, I spent some years at the University of Pisa working with Prof. Moruzzi: in our labs there was quite a mystic mood. Also then, the money for research was not enough, but that is nothing new. We worked like horses, in the belief that we would never make money like surgeons or doctors à la mode, but, on the other hand, we did what we liked. And what we liked was useful for the society. What more could you strive for?”
Giacomo Rizzolatti
Neuroscientist, Director of the Department of Neurosciences at the University of Parma, discoverer of the mirror neurons, interview issued on La Repubblica on the February 14th 2012 – Italian only.
I've always done what I loved, and what was often useful to others. My work included being a Creative Director and advertising consultant. I've taught at IED, an International Higher Educational Network, and provided training for advertising agencies and companies. I also used to be a collaborator of Suono, an Italian Hi-Fi magazine, and Hi-Fi Center, a formerly Italian Hi-Fi distributor. Since the end of 2024, I've been retired and fully dedicated to audiophile service. Because what matters here is that I've always been an audiophile, thanks to my father's system, purchased with great sacrifice but also with an equal love for good music. Dual, Saba, Philips: for the time and resources, a luxurious beginning. Thanks, Dad. And even now, as I write this update, I'm happy to be a "full-time audiophile."
Since its inception in 2011, ReMusic's review guidelines have not changed; you can find them here. I consult with manufacturers or distributors of top quality equipment. I want to equip myself—and us—with their best products. We reserve the right to refuse their admission, so that no one receives a negative review on these pages. They will be used for honest and thoughtful comparisons. They will be held in the palm of our hands for that sliver of wonderful madness that authentic Hi-End can bring into our homes.
The world is full of good equipment, for one reason or another.
These are the devices I want to test.
NB - In addition to those I personally tested, most of the equipment or speakers reviewed on ReMusic have also been auditioned by me. This article and the description of my personal system are constantly evolving. The list below shows confirmed components or new entries, cross-fading with the previous ones from September 2022, with the last update as of December 17, 2025.
Music: 1,700 CDs, 3,000 standard CD or high-res album files, various streaming platform subscriptions
Digital sources: Fujitsu Futro S900 PC - Daphile dedicated, Wadia WT 3200 CD transport, Rega Saturn CD player, Octavio Stream G2 streamer, DO Slash6 streamer
DACs: EAM Lab Musica D201, Asus Xonar Essence One Muses Edition, Onix DAC25A
Preamps: Tektron Ultimate line preamp, KingRex PREference, Linear Tube Audio microZOTL, Muriano Research Anarchico FR, Tisbury Audio Mini Passive Preamplifier II
Power amps: 300B Western Electric 91A replica with updated layout by Anzaï Zaïka, two M2Tech Crosby and three Trends Audio TA-10.2P, very useful for the bi-and-triamping tests
Integrated amps: Alchimista 45, Linear Tube Audio microZOTL, NAD 3225PE, KingRex T20U with PSU MKII, Aiyima A1001 mono
Loudspeakers:
Altec 612 cabinet replica with Altec 416Z woofer, Altec 28816G driver and Altec 311-60 horn
Altec 614 cabinet replica with Altec Dia-Cone 600B full range
Altec 622 original cabinet with Altec Dia-Cone 400B full range
Bae cabinet with Altec 408A Biflex full range
Altec 802D and 806A drivers with Altec 511B, Altec 32A and Smith Horn horns
KingSound KS-Super 2, TakeT BatPure and TakeT BatPro2 supertweeters
Headphones amp: Icon Audio HP8 MKII and Linear Tube Audio microZOTL
Headphones: Sony MDR-XB700
Cables: Belden 9497, Duelund DCA 16GA, Western Electric 22AWG, Omega Audio Concepts DNA e NANO extra, Accuphase, Vermouth Audio, Audio Consulting, Gekko Cables, Audio Alchemy DST, Apogee Electronics Wyde Eye, Monster Cable, Cordial, Monosaudio, DH Labs Silver Sonic, Tektron and others DiY
Power supply: Omega Audio Concepts Power Plant and AP Design Desma power plants plus a 3.300 VA insulating transformer
Accessories: carbon blocks decouplers, metal stands with dampened and decoupled wooden shelves Target Audio, wooden stands with pietra serena shelves
Listening room
From June 2021, partially isolated, with reduced noise pollution and electromagnetic interferences, about 40 square meters in total, with medium-high reflections, regular backside walls, irregular sidewalls, non-equidistant from the loudspeakers.
Until April 2021, Partially insulated, low noise pollution, approximately 70 square meters with the possibility of using another 90 square meters as acoustic leaks, regular and symmetrical back wall with rear lateral openings beyond the speakers, symmetrical side walls.
Past associated equipment
Last but not least, the main devices or speakers that have alternated as references in my system in the past.
